Oilers superstar Connor McDavid exploded for his first career four-goal game against the NHL’s best team, Tuesday night.
McDavid scored once in the first period, once in the second period, and twice in the third period to lead the Oilers over the Lightning 6-2 at Rogers Place. McDavid had five points total for the second time in his three-year NHL career.
That'd be goal 1️⃣8️⃣ for player 9️⃣7️⃣ #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/MvILQIitWC
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 6, 2018
1:48 in the first period, McDavid scored the game’s first goal on the power play, tipping home a pass from Ryan Strome. The goal gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead.
No angle? No problem for Connor. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/ZaFfSRp9PT
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 6, 2018
On McDavid’s second goal, he absolutely trashes rookie defenseman Matthew Peca. As he carried the puck into the offensive zone, McDavid dekes to the inside, curls back to the outside, and then, as he’s driving towards the net, scores to the top corner of the net on Andrei Vasilevskiy. At no angle. WTF.
Captain Connor completes the hatty! #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/94lNHEGOBZ
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 6, 2018
McDavid got his third goal 6:55 into the final period and, you guys, the hat trick goal was the best goal. After collecting a turnover by Tampa Bay defenseman Mikhail Sergachev at the point, McDavid raced in on a breakaway and beat Louis Domingue on his forehand.
The hockey robot showed some rare human emotion after the goal, showing off what appears to be a smile.
That hat-trick smile. 😀 #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/ZC6iRxdr3y
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 6, 2018
The fans of course let the hats fly.
Anyone know where I can get a hat? The collection after @EdmontonOilers @cmcdavid97 4 goal game. pic.twitter.com/EOrnTikAye
— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) February 6, 2018
When you're hot, you're hot! 🔥 #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/gI2xj8WvzV
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 6, 2018
Finally: goal number four. There are no words that really do the wackiness of it justice, but I’ll try. As the 21-year-old attempts to center a pass from behind the net, the puck gets deflected, flies high into the air, bounces off the ice, and then goes off the skate of Chris Kunitz and in. MAGIC, that’s all I have to say. The goal at 13:49 closed the book on the game’s scoring, giving the Oilers a 6-2 win.
After the game, the scorer of four goals was critical of himself and how he needs to be better at breakaways.
"The fans are looking for something to cheer for & we have to give them something to cheer for." @cmcdavid97 on tonight's raucous @RogersPlace crowd pic.twitter.com/M9ipprutYf
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 6, 2018
“Breakaways is definitely not something I’m good at,” McDavid said. “I definitely miss more than I score. It’s something I gotta change. I get my fair share of looks and I need to bare down on those.”
Ryan Strome downplayed the captain’s performance somewhat.
"Obviously a great performance by Connor but I thought every line did the right things. We limited our mistakes & they didn't have too much." @strome18, two apples tonight pic.twitter.com/KEnFGABbAA
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 6, 2018
“Obviously a great performance by Connor, but I thought every line did the right things,” he said.
Thankfully, Leon Draisaitl is still a rational human being.
"It seems like he's from another planet. It's almost like it's not fair." @Drat_29 on @cmcdavid97 night of 4 goals and 1 assist.
— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) February 6, 2018
After a bad start to the season, the Oilers are now 5-1-1 in their last 7 games. They are 11 points out of the final wildcard spot in the West.
"He's playing at a very high, high level right now & the team is playing well around him." Coach McLellan on @cmcdavid97 who's up to 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) in his last 7 games, #Oilers 5-1-1 record in that span
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 6, 2018
FINAL: @EdmontonOilers (6) – @TBLightning (2)
Recap: https://t.co/mTiaWtZOeX #TBLvsEDM pic.twitter.com/1NFyFtUViS— NHL (@NHL) February 6, 2018
3rd NHL hat trick, 1st 4-goal game, and 2nd career 5-point night for McDavid.
Best game EDM has played this season.
— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) February 6, 2018
Connor McDavid is the first @EdmontonOilers player to score at least four goals in a game since Sam Gagner on Feb. 2, 2012 vs. CHI (4-4—8). #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/bI9EWzSKIG
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 6, 2018
Connor McDavid of the @EdmontonOilers is the third player to score four goals in a game this season. #NHLStats #TBLvsEDM pic.twitter.com/AyQ4N6NwkI
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 6, 2018
Headline photo: @EdmontonOilers
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